These destinations reward solo travellers with new experiences

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Travelling alone can be challenging, but for many people it is the most rewarding type of travel there is because it encourages them to leave their comfort zones to try new experiences and meet new people.

"The Christmas and New Year season is when a lot of families travel together to reconnect, but it's also the perfect time for solo travellers to reward themselves for the hard work of the past year and to get out there to see the world and meet like-minded people," said Taylor Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com™.

The travel experts at Hotels.com have compiled a list of five great destinations for people travelling on their own, unique experiences those locations offer and a selection of fine hotels travellers can stay at that are winners of the 2016 Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards.*

Ride a 100 km/h zipline in Mexico
If you have the chance to get out of your hotel enclave and make friends with locals, you'll discover they are very hospitable. Mexico is also a nation filled with many thrilling experiences like the 1.2-kilometre zip line operated by Vallarta Adventures in Puerto Vallarta that hits a peak speed of 100 km/h.

Where to stay: Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta. A winner of the Loved by Guests All-inclusive Award. Prices start at $377.**

Ride a moped in Vietnam
Vietnam can be overwhelming to first-time visitors, but the readiness of local people to help you navigate the unknown makes it an easy place to feel welcome and fun to explore. As you walk the streets of its capital city, Hanoi, you'll quickly notice that motor scooters outnumber every other means of transportation by a wide margin. For a quintessential Vietnam experience, rent one for the day and try navigating the city streets.

Where to stay: Hanoi Lotus Boutique Hotel. A winner of the Loved by Guests boutique hotel award. Prices start at $33.**

Take a cooking class in Italy
Italy is the ideal destination to meet and connect with people that appreciate cooking and eating fresh ingredients. You'll surely visit many of the country's outstanding restaurants during your stay, but for an authentic appreciation of Italian cuisine, take a cooking class and learn how to make perfect pasta. Italians make friends easily so you'll have no problems as a solo traveller in this Mediterranean paradise.

Where to stay: Hotel Spadai in Florence. A winner of the Loved by Guests new hotel award. Prices start at $168.**

Dance the Samba in Brazil
Put away the thick down jacket this New Years Eve and opt for white sand, beach waves and dancing shoes! You may think watching the ball drop in New York City's Time Square would be the most exciting place to spend the last day of the year, but it pales in comparison to the Samba party that takes place in Brazil on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach every December 31st.

Where to stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro. A winner of the Loved by Guests Gold Award. Prices begin at $413.**

Go on a pub crawl in England
To get a pulse of what people really think about Brexit and to take advantage of the weakened Pound, buy a few rounds of ale for your new mates. The English may be known for their reserve, but it doesn't take many pints before it fades away.

Where to stay: St George Hotel Wembley. A winner of the Loved by Guests new hotel award. Prices start at $88.**

Travellers can get 10% off with coupon SAVE10NOV16 on eligible hotel reservations made by November 20, 2016 for stays through December 25, 2016.

* To receive a Loved by Guests gold award, properties must have received an average customer review score of 4.7 or higher, based on a minimum of 50 reviews as of December 31, 2015. Winners of the 'best for' award were the 50 hotels with the highest average customer review score in each category were chosen, based on a minimum of 20 reviews as of December 31, 2015.

** Pricing accurate as of November 14, 2016 based on single occupancy, not including taxes and fees.

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SOURCE Hotels.com

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